Business · Philippines Bureau
Police seize P14 million in smuggled cigarettes hidden beneath coconuts
Officers at a checkpoint in Maguindanao del Norte discovered boxes of imported cigarettes concealed under a truckload of coconuts on Tuesday. The contraband, valued at approximately P14 million, was intercepted during a routine inspection in Parang.
LSN Philippines ·
Authorities in Maguindanao del Norte have confiscated a substantial shipment of allegedly smuggled cigarettes following a discovery at a police checkpoint in Parang. The Regional Mobile Force Battalion's 3rd Maneuver Platoon uncovered the contraband during an inspection of a truck transporting coconuts on Tuesday, September 1.
Lieutenant Patrick Generoso Gascon, team leader of the unit, reported that multiple boxes of imported cigarettes were concealed beneath the legitimate cargo. The estimated value of the confiscated products reached P14 million, representing a significant haul in the ongoing battle against contraband smuggling in the region.
The seizure highlights persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring smuggling operations across Mindanao's ports and inland checkpoints. The contraband has been turned over to appropriate authorities for further investigation and processing in accordance with applicable customs and excise laws.
The operation underscores the importance of vigilant checkpoint inspections in disrupting illicit trade networks that operate across the country's southern regions.